The College of Staten Island’s 11th Celestial Ball was held on Saturday evening at the Richmond County Country Club, accounting for the College’s biggest fundraiser in honor of the themed “Heroes Among Us,” individuals who helped usher the College through the COVID-19 pandemic and a return to in-person activity.

Guests of honor were New York State Assembly Member Michael J. Cusick, President Emeritus Dr. William J. Fritz and Dr. Bonnie Fritz, Class of 2022 graduate and Valedictorian Maxwell Velikodny, on behalf of the CSI student body, and Patricia Kahn, PhD, CIO and AVP of the Office of Informational Technology, on behalf of the CSI workforce.

After cocktails, the Celestial Ball programming got underway in the Grand Ballroom, where Interim Director for Institutional Advancement and the CSI Foundation Cheryl Adolph greeted guests with welcoming words before giving way to Foundation President Joseph Franzese, who greeted the attendees and spoke of the importance of the Foundation’s fundraising initiatives.

Next up to the lectern was CSI Interim President Dr. Timothy G. Lynch, who spoke of the honorees and their unwavering commitment to the College and the community. Dr. Lynch then introduced student speaker Caonaissa Won, a senior Psychology major and U.S. Army Reserves veteran, who spoke about the importance of her education at CSI and her mentors. A winner of the Nicholas Guy Horne Scholarship, she commented on the value scholarships places for students, part of the Foundation’s fundraising mission.

Dr. Lynch was then joined by Interim Provost Dr. Michael Steiper, who helped confer the honorees with the President’s Medal and a Proclamation Certificate from the Richmond County Administrator’s Office. 

“The honorees we celebrated tonight believe in the mission of our College and its importance to the Staten Island Community,” said Dr. Lynch in his remarks. “It’s the reason why we are all here tonight – to support a place that is part of the fabric of Staten Island. They help our institution continue to rise and carry our mission.”

Guests were then treated to dinner and dancing with entertainment provided by Chasing Midnight. The evening featured a silent auction as well and with every turn, the theme of the evening reinforced the heroic efforts by the many to ensure a return to in-person celebrations like the Celestial Ball. All revenue generated from the evening serve the College’s greatest needs.

A full Photo Gallery of the CSI Celestial Ball is coming soon!